Health self-perception among older adults users of an oncology service

• Main Authors: Raquel Heling Reis, Eda Schwartz, Lílian Moura de Lima, Celmira Lange, Aline Machado Feijó, Giani Cunha Duarte
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal de Goias 2014-09-01
• Series: Revista Eletrônica de Enfermagem
• Subjects: Doença Crônica; Saúde do Idoso; Oncologia, Enfermagem Geriátrica
• Online Access: http://revistas.ufg.emnuvens.com.br/fen/article/view/21482

We aimed at describing health self-perception of older adults receiving chemotherapy in an oncology service, according to sociodemographic, morbidity and social support variables. A quantitative descriptive study conducted by applying pre-coded questionnaires with close-ended questions, which were given to 108 older adults receiving chemotherapy. The data were organized in a bank and analyzed through frequency distribution. Results displayed that male participants who lived with a partner and had some type of occupation had higher self-reported health levels. The poorest results were obtained in the 60-74 age group, among residents of rural areas, with one to two minimum monthly wages and systemic arterial hypertension. The results suggest intervention possibilities for health professionals, which can lead to improving self-perceived health status, such as stimulating family support and maintaining occupational activities. doi: 10.5216/ree.v16i3.21482.